How to open an unemployment claim with Washington ESD - complete beginner here

First step is to gather all your employment information - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation for the last 18 months. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and bank account info for direct deposit. Go to esd.wa.gov and click 'Apply for Benefits' to start your initial claim. The system will ask you detailed questions about your work history and why you're unemployed.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible because your benefit year starts the week you file, not when you became unemployed. I waited two weeks thinking I needed to organize everything perfectly first and that cost me those first two weeks of benefits. Also, after you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to actually receive payments.

The online application process is pretty straightforward but can take 45-60 minutes to complete. Don't rush through it - incorrect information can cause delays in processing. You'll get a confirmation number when you submit, save that! After you apply, it usually takes 7-10 days to get your first determination letter telling you if you're approved and what your weekly benefit amount will be.

One thing that helped me was using Claimyr to get through to an actual Washington ESD representative when I had questions during the application process. I kept getting stuck on the work search requirements section and couldn't figure out what to put. Called through claimyr.com and actually got connected to someone who walked me through it. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

ugh the whole system is such a mess, took me 3 tries to get my application submitted because the website kept crashing. make sure you're using a computer not your phone, the mobile version is terrible

Important reminder: after you file your initial claim, you MUST file weekly claims every week to get paid. Even if your claim is still being processed or you're waiting for a decision, keep filing those weekly claims. You can't go back and file for missed weeks later. Set a reminder on your phone for the same day each week.

Don't panic if your claim goes into adjudication - that's normal for many claims, especially if you were laid off or there's anything unusual about your separation. It just means they need to verify information before approving benefits. Can take 2-6 weeks unfortunately.

Pro tip: create your SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account first if you don't have one. That's what you'll use to log into the unemployment system. Having that set up beforehand makes the application process smoother.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CORRECT BANK INFO. I put in my routing number wrong and it took 3 weeks to fix and get my payments. Double check everything before submitting.

Also be prepared for the work search requirements. You'll need to look for work and keep track of your job search activities. The requirements are pretty detailed so make sure you understand what you need to do to stay eligible for benefits.

When I filed my claim last year, I had trouble with the employer information section because I had worked multiple part-time jobs. If you have a complicated work history, it might be worth calling for help. I ended up using one of those callback services because I couldn't get through the regular phone lines.

honestly just dive in and do it, the application walks you through everything step by step. i kept putting it off because i thought it would be super complicated but it really wasn't that bad

One more thing - after you submit your application, you'll get a bunch of documents in the mail. Don't ignore them! Some might require action on your part. I almost missed an important deadline because I thought everything was automated.

The whole thing is a bureaucratic nightmare but you'll get through it. I filed my claim in January and finally got my first payment in March. Just keep filing those weekly claims even when nothing seems to be happening.

If you run into problems getting through to Washington ESD on the phone, try calling right when they open at 8am or use one of those services that calls for you. I wasted so much time trying to get through on my own.

Good luck! The process is intimidating at first but thousands of people go through it successfully. Take your time with the application and don't hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck.